The use of indwelling urinary catheters among hospital patients is common. Yet it can also lead to preventable harms such as urinary tract infection, sepsis and delirium. Guidelines support routine assessment of appropriate urinary catheter indications —including acute urinary obstruction, critical illness and end-of-life care—and minimizing their duration of use. Strategies consistent with CAUTI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection) guidelines regarding inappropriate urinary catheter use have been shown to reduce health care-associated infections.
Sources:
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. APIC implementation guide: guide to preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections [Internet]. 2014 Apr [cited 2016 Oct 14].
Choosing Wisely Canada. Canadian Society of Hospital Medicine: Five things physicians and patients should question [Internet]. 2017 Jun [cited 2016 Oct 21].
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Krein SL, et al. Barriers to reducing urinary catheter use: a qualitative assessment of a statewide initiative. JAMA Intern Med. 2013 May 27;173(10):881-6. PMID: 23529627.
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Related Resources:
Toolkit: Lose the Tube – A toolkit for appropriate use of urinary catheters in hospitals